Anti-Slavery

travelling exhibition 2007

In 1807 slave trading was abolished throughout the British Empire and to mark the bicentenary the Council for Social Responsibility, on behalf of the Diocese of Hereford, is managing a year-long travelling exhibition.

The Exhibition, which will be sited in churches and community venues throughout Herefordshire, Shropshire and parts of Worcestershire, reviews the history of the slave-trade, celebrates the lives of those who campaigned for social justice and looks at the tragedy of modern day slavery.

CSR has worked with Anti-Slavery International, which began campaigning for the abolition of slavery in the 19th century and is still campaigning today, to create this Exhibition.

It comprises a series of 19 exhibition boards which includes four designed specifically to highlight the local history of slavery, diocesan links with Tanzania , the history of their slave trade and the problems of slavery which faces Tanzania today.

"When the Atlantic slave trade was abolished in 1807 there were around 5 million people in slavery, today there are more than 20 million people exploited across the world and this figure includes children under the age of five,” said Shelagh Callaghan, CSR Projects Officer who is coordinating the Exhibition and surrounding events. “It’s important that during the bicentenary of the Abolition of the Slave Trade we consider how we can work towards social justice and equality for all".

Anti-Slavery
"In a Strange Land"

A smaller exhibition, “In a Strange Land”, accompanies the main one and explores the issues facing seasonal and migrant workers within Herefordshire and Shropshire .

This exhibition aims to challenge the prejudices often confronting foreign workers. It recognises that different laws and cultures can throw up many challenges, not only to the worker but also to the community. However, it hopes to encourage the view that these challenges need not be viewed as threats, but can be seized as an opportunity to enrich our local neighbourhoods.

Happily, human diversity and different cultures remain, but the central tenet is that all races are one in Christ.

There is a selection of literature available to support the Exhibition, some of which may be downloaded from this site.

Download the Anti-Slavery Leaflet